Although I could go on for pages in a polymorph-based argument, I would like to avoid that for this thread. Instead, I was wondering if someone could help me. I'm wanting to create a shapeshifter, preferably as a sorcerer or bard. However, I can't find any shapeshifting abilities in pathfinder that are anything more that Bull's Strength with natural armor tacked on.

Thematically, I find shapeshifting attractive because it creates a character who is seemingly weak and defenseless, and who is completely reliant on the shapeshifting in order to defend himself. Is there anything like this in pathfinder?

I think the only true shapeshifter (other than Druid at level 4) is Ranger with Shapeshifter archetype ;(

I'm sure that others will correct me with things like Synergist, and alchemist variants and non-paizo books, but I think what you have effectively asked doesn't exist except for those two I have listed above ...

Although I could go on for pages in a polymorph-based argument, I would like to avoid that for this thread. Instead, I was wondering if someone could help me. I'm wanting to create a shapeshifter, preferably as a sorcerer or bard. However, I can't find any shapeshifting abilities in pathfinder that are anything more that Bull's Strength with natural armor tacked on.

Thematically, I find shapeshifting attractive because it creates a character who is seemingly weak and defenseless, and who is completely reliant on the shapeshifting in order to defend himself. Is there anything like this in pathfinder?

The best thing I can think of is the Kitsune. This would leave you to choose the class you want while giving you the option of having good shapeshifting abilities. If you were wanting better bonuses while shifted I wouldn't know much about that.

...what the actual f***. Is Paizo SO afraid of shapeshifting that they would take a class feature that only weakens the original class and ban it just because it's reminiscent of the DREEEEAAADED polymorph?

Hide your children! A 7th level wizard is spending one of his most powerful spells to turn into an owlbear! The RP community is surely going to collapse this time! Quick, call the blessed factotums! They're are only hope for an original and compelling character!